Globalisation, technology and demographic change and the future of work

On 12 October 2017, the House of Lords debated a motion, moved by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour), that "this House takes note of the effect of globalisation, technology and demographic change on the future of work, and of the public policy response to those changes". Lord Knight is a member of the Future of Work Commission, a group chaired by the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson. The Future of Work Commission's website states that it intended to deliver policy recommendations in September 2017 regarding the implications of new technology for work.

This short briefing provides an overview of globalisation, technology and demography and some of the ways in which they affect work and employment in the UK. It then summarises some relevant public policy proposals and suggests material for future reading.